Nathan Jones - First Winter

From Trev’s report it sounded like Gutierrez had done an amazing job in spite of the insane aggression of the bandits, but it was still not great news that they’d been forced to kill over two thirds of the enemy.

Given their uncertain standing with Grimes and the frosty meetings they’ve had with the military up til now, Matt wanted to do his best to limit spectators to a minimum so the town wouldn’t present as an unruly mob, as Rogers had portrayed them. The reception for the colonel would be him, the town leaders, and twenty defenders obviously arranged as a protective escort. Everyone else he sent home.

Of course, he’d learned some lessons in caution from the camp coordinator. So just like when Rogers had come to take their food, Matt had defenders waiting in houses and scattered in concealed locations. Just in case.

Seriously last resort, since if a meeting with the colonel himself turned violent that was probably it for Aspen Hill. Which made Matt more than a little nervous. After all, he was representing the town to the nominal leader of this entire region, all of what was left of the United States in the Rocky Mountains.

As an automatic gesture his eyes flicked down to what he was wearing. He’d had plenty of clothes at home when the Gulf burned, and since they were light and useful his family had brought them all with them when they fled Aspen Hill. It had seemed like enough to last him for a long time, but while he did his best to keep them clean and avoid damage, after over a year of 19 thcentury living they were looking pretty ragged.

Hardly Mayoral.

They needed to start getting wool from their sheep, and Hailey needed to start spinning it into cloth with help from anyone else who wanted to make a profession of it. He knew the townspeople involved in hunting were curing hides to stitch into clothing, rugs, and blankets, but he doubted a buckskin outfit would make him look any more sophisticated than stained, faded, torn jeans and a light jacket.

Of course he could go home and change, but somehow getting the town ready for the visit and planning what he’d say seemed more important than making himself presentable.

Then again he wasn’t exactly trained in politics or diplomacy. Trying to keep a town together against bandit raids, starvation, and the coming winter required a certain set of skills that he was barely keeping up with. He wouldn’t be in any way, shape, or form qualified to be Mayor of a pre-Gulf refineries attack town, and handling a visiting dignitary fell into that category.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d stick close to me for this,” he said in a low voice to Catherine as everyone scrambled into place, Chauncey’s voice over his headset a constant background keeping him updated on the Colonel’s progress. “I’m not exactly sure what to do here.”

“Talking to a senior military officer about screwups by his subordinates leading to chaos and instability in a region, that you’ve been forced to put down with violence without his authorization?” the former Mayor replied with grim amusement. “I’m happy to lend my considerable experience with that sort of thing.”

That was incredibly reassuring.

It turned out to be a situation of hurry up and wait. After everyone got into position they realized that even with vehicles, it was still a bit of a drive between Manti and their little valley in the mountains way out in the middle of nowhere. So after Matt double-checked that the prisoners, corralled in a meadow just south of town on the other side from the road, had been given a bit of food and water so the town wouldn’t be accused of mistreatment, he and Sam hurried home so he could change after all.

His wife agreed completely with him that he should be dressed up for this occasion. With her help he got an old suit laid out, which was slightly short on him but other than that fit as well as when he’d worn it in high school, then hastily bathed himself with soap, water, and a cloth and dug out a stick of deodorant that these days he only used for special occasions, usually a date with Sam.

She was only a month or so from having the baby now, round and awkward and constantly battling between her seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm and her need to take things easy. She wanted to help, but at his insistence she settled on their bed while he tidied himself up.

“This is like staring at a buffet I can’t eat,” she teased at one point.

He gave her a slightly incredulous look as he tried to put on his shirt. With the bruises from the gunshot it turned out to be more difficult than he’d expected. “This isn’t exactly the best time for that.”

“Duh.” She pushed heavily to her feet and came over to help him, motioning for him to stoop so she could get behind him and finagle his arms into the sleeves. As he worked with the buttons she popped up his collar and started tying his tie, talking as she did. “I can’t wait to get this little guy or gal out so I don’t have to be pregnant anymore.”

He patiently let her finish the knot and arrange it properly, smiling wryly. “Yeah, I don’t think you’re going to be feeling too frisky for a while after that.”

Sam lightly punched him, careful to avoid the bruised area. “I meant in general. This magical experience has a lot of unmagical parts to it.” She helped him into his suit jacket and smoothed the collar after he buttoned it.

“As opposed to caring for an infant that wakes up every few hours?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me.” His wife rested one hand over her round belly. “The rascal’s already driving me crazy with all the kicking.”

“That probably means a boy, right?” Matt asked.

“Dr. Maggy doesn’t want to say one way or another.” Sam stepped back and looked him over, then whistled softly. “Wow hot stuff. Your wife must have to chase the other ladies off with a stick.”

“Not in her condition. And she’s looking pretty good herself.” He leaned down to give her a long kiss.

Which of course was interrupted by the defender on far patrol to the west reporting in through his headset. “Military convoy approaching.”

Sam felt him tense and pulled back. “He’s here?” she guessed.

“Looks like it.” Taking his wife’s hand, he started out the door and towards the north end of town. Neighbors popped their heads out doors as he passed, and he sternly waved them back into their houses.

Once they reached the people gathered to receive their visitor Sam squeezed his hand and broke away and join the town leaders, while Matt gathered up Lucas, Chauncey, Catherine, and Deb. They stepped forward to meet the vehicles coming down the western slope, Chauncey slightly awkward on his prosthetic leg.

The military convoy rolled right up to them, the lead vehicle stopping only ten or so feet away. Matt tensed slightly at that, although he was comforted knowing how many defenders were in position to cover him if, God forbid, things turned unpleasant.

A man fitting Lucas’s description of Colonel Grimes hopped out of the lead truck, and when Matt glanced back at the older man he got a confirming nod. The colonel stepped forward alone to meet them, which seemed like a good sign.

“Colonel Grimes,” Matt said formally, offering his hand. “I’m Matthew Larson, Mayor of Aspen Hill.”

“Mayor,” the colonel replied gruffly, returning a firm grip. “I’d heard you were young.”

Matt ignored the unspoken judgment in the words as he turned to the four people with him. “Allow me to introduce Catherine Tillman, who served as Mayor before me. She’s providing invaluable insight based on her considerable experience. Lucas Halsson you already know. And this is Chauncey Watson, our town’s radio expert, and Debra Rutledge, one of the town’s defenders.”